SANDY LYLE THE TOAST OF SANDWICH
Golf Monthly|Open Issue 2021
Lyle almost caught Tony Jacklin’s ball after his Open win at Lytham in 1969. Sixteen years later, the affable Scot would finally land another home win in the game’s oldest Major
MARK TOWNSEND
SANDY LYLE THE TOAST OF SANDWICH

A month before the 114th Open Championship, Sandy Lyle’s game was in relative tatters. In the Irish Open at Royal Dublin, bedraggled by both the weather and his swing, the Scot would wave the white towel halfway up the 18th hole in his first round.

“It’s the highest score that I’ve taken since I was 12. I can’t blame the weather for the way it began. I took five putts on the 5th for a seven and that left me deflated,” explained Lyle. “I’ve been working on my swing, but this was not the place to get it right. When I hit my second into the ditch at the 14th and eventually took three putts for an eight, I knew there was no hope.”

Lyle would have needed to hole a 250-yard shot on the 18th to break 90 having just semi-shanked one out of bounds.

A few weeks later, The Open would be back at Royal St George’s just four years after its previous hosting, when Bill Rogers triumphed. Before that, you would have to go back to Bobby Locke in 1949.

David Begg was The R&A’s press officer and his immediate memory of the week was of those who weren’t there in Kent.

“A number of the major Americans didn’t come, which was very unusual,” he recalls.

“There was no Curtis Strange, runner-up at Augusta, and no Ray Floyd, who was also runner-up and had tied 3rd in 1981. Andy North had just won the US Open but he wasn’t there. And Jack Nicklaus missed the cut for the first time ever at an Open. In 1981, he had shot 83 on the first day but still made the cut and finished 23rd.”

Christy to the fore

Esta historia es de la edición Open Issue 2021 de Golf Monthly.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición Open Issue 2021 de Golf Monthly.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE GOLF MONTHLYVer todo
Is it Time for the Presidents Cup to Be Scrapped? - The next instalment of the USA v Internationals match takes place in Canada at the end of September. But should the one-sided affair continue?
Golf Monthly

Is it Time for the Presidents Cup to Be Scrapped? - The next instalment of the USA v Internationals match takes place in Canada at the end of September. But should the one-sided affair continue?

The next instalment of the USA v Internationals match takes place in Canada at the end of September. But should the one-sided affair continue? Why would anyone even suggest such a drastic course of action? It may sound harsh, but since the inaugural event in 1994, the International team has managed just one victory and one tie while the American team has won 12 times, including nine straight from 2005. It is 26 years since the International team's solitary success in 1998 at Royal Melbourne under the captaincy of the late Peter Thomson.

time-read
2 minutos  |
September 2024
Surprise packages
Golf Monthly

Surprise packages

Jeremy Ellwood looks back on some of the more unusual golfing countries he has visited during his 20+ years writing for Golf Monthly

time-read
6 minutos  |
September 2024
TAKE YOUR IRON GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Golf Monthly

TAKE YOUR IRON GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL

The key to good iron play is finding the right low point in your swing. Here's how to do it...

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
How to organise the perfect golf day
Golf Monthly

How to organise the perfect golf day

Golf Monthly's guide to arranging and running a memorable and successful event

time-read
7 minutos  |
September 2024
A LEGEND
Golf Monthly

A LEGEND

Michael Weston makes a pilgrimage to Pedrena in Spain to visit Seve's family home and talk about his life and legacy with his children

time-read
9 minutos  |
September 2024
"THESE ARE THE MOMENTS I LIVE FOR"
Golf Monthly

"THESE ARE THE MOMENTS I LIVE FOR"

Alison Root sits down for a chat with Anna Nordqvist, the three-time Major Champion and first playing assistant captain in Solheim Cup history

time-read
6 minutos  |
September 2024
SCALING NEW HEIGHTS
Golf Monthly

SCALING NEW HEIGHTS

The Solheim Cup seems to grow in significance and excitement with every staging, and this year's encounter in Virginia promises to be no exception...

time-read
8 minutos  |
September 2024
STOKE PARK
Golf Monthly

STOKE PARK

I never expected to write about Stoke Park again after its closure in 2021, but it seems reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated.

time-read
6 minutos  |
September 2024
PEAK AT THE OF HIS POWERS
Golf Monthly

PEAK AT THE OF HIS POWERS

Scottie Scheffler is a remarkable golfer who is well on his way to becoming an all-time great. Michael Weston analyses his accomplishments and explores his life to date...

time-read
8 minutos  |
September 2024
TaylorMade P7CB and P770 irons from £179 per club
Golf Monthly

TaylorMade P7CB and P770 irons from £179 per club

Adding to an extremely strong 2024 product line-up, TaylorMade has launched its latest irons in the successful P-Series - the P7CB and the P770.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024